Railroad safety-gate



L. RIKARD.

RAILROAD SAFETY GATE. APPLICATION FILED DEC. e, um.

1,319,620. Patented 0dr. 21,1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

wvemtoz Lester Rikard L. RIKARD.

RAILROAD SAFETY GATE.

Patented Oct. 21, 1919.

7 m 1 8 PW E D D E L H N o H A c U P P A 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Lesi'er Rikard WHMWJQM Ms.

L. RIKAIID.

RAILROAD SAFETY GATE.

APPLICATION FILED nEc.8, 191].

Patented Oct. 21, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

LESTER RIKARD, 0F CHANDLER, OKLAHOMA.

RAILROAD SAFETY-GATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 21, 1919'.

Application filed December 8, 1917. Serial No. 206,251.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Lns'rnn RIKARD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chandler, in the county of Lincoln and State of Oklahoma,have invented new and useful Improvements in Railroad SafetyGates, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to safety gates for railways and operatingmeans therefor.

The primary object of the invention is to produce a simple constructionand arrangement of parts designed to be actuated by a train to influencea gate, to bring the same to obstructing position when the train isoperating a crossing and to automatically return the said gatestonon-obstructing position after the train has passed the crossing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a safety device forrailways which will be automatic in action comprising few parts whichrequire no adjustment after installation, and which will operate withefficiency and with certainty.

Otherobjects and advantages will appear as the nature of the inventionis better understood, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,in which,

Figure l is a top plan view of the gates in obstructing position,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view ap proximately on the line 22 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a substantially similar sectional view but illustratingthearrangement of parts when the gates are brought to their non-obstructingposition, the posts for the gates being shown in section.

Fig. 4: is a transverse sectional view approximately on the line H ofFig.1, upon an enlarged scale.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the depressible trigger operating members.

'Fig. 6 is a view in elevation of the actuating means as applied to aswinging gate.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view approximately on the line 77 of Fig. 6.

As illustrated by the drawings, in Figs. 1 to 6 thereof, at the cornersof the crossing C of a railway track T, I arrange posts 10. These postsare preferably secured to long ties 11 and the rails of the track T arespiked to the ties 11 as well as to the other ties for the track.Theposts 10, at the confronting sides, of each pair of said posts isprovided, for a suitable distance from its bottom with an elongated slotproviding a pocket 12, and preferably, the posts, at their upper endsare rounded and reduced, gradually increasing in thickness toapproximately the center of the said posts. The pockets, of course, terminute away from the upper ends of the. posts and within each of thesepockets is pivotally secured a gatc'13. Each of the gates is of aparticular construction, including.

an upper member or bar 14 having its inner end pivoted off its center asat15 in thepocket 12. A lower bar 16, of a less length than the upperbar 14, is also provided, the

said bar 16 having its inner end pivoted off its center as at 17, theinner end of the bar 16 being arranged nearer the mouth of the pocketthan the pivot of the bar 14-. Preferably, the pivoted end of the bar 16is rounded and is provided with peripheral teeth 18. The teeth 18 maymesh with a toothed wheel 19'provided with a striker member designed tocontact with a bell 20. If desired, the toothed wheel 19 of the-teeth1:8 may be dispensed with and the inner end of the bar 16 may beprovided with a striker member designed to contact with a bell 20 whenthe gate is being brought to obstructing position. 7

Connecting the bars 14: and 16, at approximately the center of each ofthe gates 13 is a vertically disposed bar 20, pivoted as at 21 and 22 tothe bars 14C and 16 respectively. The outer bar for the gate isindicated by the numeral '23. This last mentioned bar is preferablyhollow receiving therein the ends of the bars 14. and 16 which arepivoted to the said end bar 23 as indicated by the numerals 24 and 2'5respectively. Pivotally secured to the outer members orbars 23 of eachof the gates 13, is a latch member 27,

- the inner end of the said latch being loosely connected through themedium of a link 28 to the lower bars or rails 16 of the gate, and theselatch members, when the gates are brought to obstructing position willlock each pair of gates against lateral movement.

Arranged angularly and extending outwardly from the end of each of therails or bars 16 of the gates 13 is an arm 29, and to the outer end ofthis arm is loosely secured a link 30. .The arm 29, when the gates arein their lower or obstructing position, is designed to contact with astud or buffer member 29 which maintainsthe gates at a right angle withrespect to the posts and the upper and lower rails14 and 16 thereof in ahorizontal position.

The links pass through a suitable opening in each of the posts 10 andare arranged at an outward angle with respect to the said posts. Theends of the links 30 are loosely connected to the angle ends 31 ofshafts 32, the said shafts being journaled in suitable bearings 33 inthe referred to ties l1. 7 In this connection, it is to be stated, that,if desired, the ties 11 may be in the nature of hollow members, so thatthe shafts 32 may be wholly concealed therein.

7 Upon each of the shafts 32, inward of the angle ends 31 thereof isarranged angular fingers 34, each pair of fingers being connected by abar or cable 35 and to one of the fingers 34 is secured a flexibleelement 36 which may form the end of the element 35 when the same is inthe nature of a cable. The element 36 is connected to a crank arm 37secured upon the shaft 38 of a toothed wheel 39. The toothed wheel 39intermeshes with alarger toothed wheel 40 and this toothed wheel 40 isheld against movement in one direction by the engagement therewith of aspring pressed dog 41. Loosely arranged on the shaft 42 of the toothedwheel 40 is a lever 43, the said lever being normally swung to oneposition through the medium of a spring 44 and retained in such positionthrough contact with a stop member 45. Pivoted to the lever and engagingwith the'teeth of the wheel 40 is a dog 46. a

Arranged along the side of the outer rails V of the tracks T, atpredetermined distances to the; opposite sides of the crossing C arecontact members 47 over which the wheels of the rolling stock travelingon the track are designed to ride. The contact member 47 preferablycomprises a pair of rail members 48 and 49 respectively, which arepivotally connected at their meeting ends as indicated'by the numeral50. The outer ends of these rails are loosely pivoted, as a 51, to therail of the track, and the said short rails 48 and 49 are under theinfluence of a spring 52 whichelevates the same at the joint thereofabove the rail of the track, so that the short rails 48 and 49 are thusmaintained at opposite angles with respect to each other and withrespect to the track the said trigger being in the nature of a cam Imember and being also influenced by a: spring 54 to maintain the same incontacting relation with the widened under faces' of the rails 48 and 49at the pivotal eonnection' thereof. In this connection, it should bestated that the spring 54 may be of a sufficient strength to retain therails 48 and 49 at a desired inclination and above the rail of thetrack, in which instance, the

referred to spring for elevating the said short rails may be dispensedwith.

Connected to each of the cam shaped triggers 53 and journaled insuitable bearings 55 is a shaft 56, the said'shaft having an angularfinger 57 and to this finger is secured a cable 58 which has its-endconnected to the lever 43. r 1

Arranged outwardly of the toothed wheel 40, and having its shaftjournaled in suitable bearings is a sheave wheel 59 and secured to thelever 43 and trained around the sheave wheel 59 is a flexible element orcable 60, This cable is directedbelow the crossing C and may beinclosediin 'asuitable pipe or other casing, the opposite end of thecable being connected directly tothe finger 57 of theshaft 56 for thetrip member 53 arranged at the opposite side of the crossing.

While the contact members 47 are arranged opposite each of the outerrails of the traclgso four of the same are employed, one for each of thetracks, only one of the gate operating means is required, these meanscomprising the toothed wheels 39 and 40 and the elements associatedtherewith. In this connection, it is to be stated that the gateoperating means is suitably incased, as in fact is all of theconstruction which might be effected by weather conditions, and theoperation of the device will presently be described. I

' Normally the gates are 'in'the'ir elevated position, and wheninsuchposition, the ele-' ments comprising the same will be effectivelycollapsed so that the rail 16 of each of the gates will be swung againstthe rail 14 thereof, and the outer members 23 as well as the brace orcentral members 20 will be arranged approximatelyin a line with the saidrails. The gates when collapsed are fully inclosed in the pockets 12 ofthere spective posts 1O. In Fig. 2 of the drawings, I have illustratedthe gates in their lower or obstructing position, the gates being in alikeposition in Fig. loof the drawings, and in the said Fig. l, I haveillustrated diagrammatically the wheels of a.

rolling stock positioned on one of the tracks outward of one of thecontact members 47. We will presume that the wheel travels over one ofthe said contact members to bring the gates to their upper position.

Now, when the wheel, moving in the directoothed wheel 40 a handle 61.

shaft 42 of the toothed wheel 10 and throughthe medium of the pawl ordog 46,, the said toothed wheel is permitted of one-fourth of arevolution.

As the toothed wheel 10 is twice the size of the toothed wheel 39, thesaid toothed wheel 40 meshing with the wheel 39 'will revolve the saidwheel 38 at one-half a revolution, swinging' the lever 37'connected tothe said wheel 39 to the position illustrated in Fig. i of the drawin s..This draws onthe flexible element 36 causing the same to turnboth ofthe shafts 32, (throughthe medium of a connection 35 with the fingers34: of the said shafts), bringing the crank ends 31 of the said shaftsdownwardly and through the medium of the link connection 30with the011111829 on the lower members 16 of the gates 13, swing the said gatesupwardly into the pockets 12 of the posts 10. The lever 43, throughthemedium of a spring 1-1, will bereturned to its initial position, but thewheelaO being engaged by the dog 11 is held against turning, and theintermeshing of the wheel 39 with the wheel 4L0 prevents the turning ofthe wheel 39 so that the gate is maintained locked in its raised orinoperative position. Now, we will suppose that the train againapproaches the crossing from either direction, say again in thedirection of the arrow a. The pivoted contact member 47 will actuate oneof the triggers 53 turning the shaft 56 connected therewith and pullingupon the cable 60 which draws the said cable in the direction of thearrow 0, (Fig. 1) pulling the lever 43 in the direction of the arrow 6,(Fig. 4) again turning the toothed wheel 40 a onefourth revolution. Thisturns the toothed wheel 39 a one-half revolution bringing the lever 37secured thereto to the position illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings,causing the gates 13 tl'irough the weight at the outer ends thereof todrop by gravity to obstructing position. It is to be noted that thelatch members 26, through the medium of their loose connection with thelower bars 16 of the gates, will have their operating ends swungoutwardly when the gates are lowered so that the gates are automaticallylatched when in obstructing position, and it will be further noted thatthe device is thoroughly automatic in action.

In some instances, it may be found desirable to operate the gates byhand, in which instances, I secure to the shaft 42, of the I By turningthis handle in the direction of the arrow 6, a determined distance, themembers will be actuated as above described, say to open the gates andby turning the handle still farther in the same direction, the memberswill be actuated to permit of the automatic gravitation of the gates toclosing position.

It is to be understood that the crank or lever 37 may be dispensed with,if desired, and in lieu thereof, the toothed wheel 39 may be providedupon one of its faces with a wrist pin, to which the flexible element 36is secured. It is to be further understood that in instances where extralong trains, or a train made up of a great number of coaches or carsconstantly pass the crossing additional contact niembers'and triggerstherefor may be employed so that while the gates would be both openedand closed as portions of the trains pass a crossing, the

gates would, however, be retained in their closed condition until thetrain has fully passed the crossing, the gates being raised only afterthe last car of the train has entirely passed the crossing.

As illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, the improved operating meaus may beemployed in connection with a swinging gate, the contact members,triggers, and gate sustaining means being similar to that previouslydescribed willnot, therefore, be alluded to in detail in the descriptionof the said Figs. 6 and 7. The gates inFigs. 6 and T are designed as acattle guard and hzwing their upper and lower rails hingediy connectedwith the posts 65, the upper rail 66 of the gates 67 being influenced bysprings 68 to hold the same across the railway track. Suitable stopmeans 69 is provided for retaining the gates in this position. The lowerrails 70 of the gates 67 have secured thereto, adjacent their hinged orswiveled connection with the posts (35 a sprocket chain 71 that istrained around a sprocket wheel 72, and the free end of this chain isconnected to the offset end 73 of shafts 7a, the said shafts beingsimilar to the shafts 32 and being provided with fingers 75 to which theelement, similar to the element 35 is secured, one end of the saidelement being conneeted to the wrist pin or to the crank or lever 36secured on the wheel 39, the said wheel being operated by the wheel 40in a manner as previously described.

From the foregoing description, when taken in connection with thedrawings, it is believed that the construction and operation of myimprovement will be apparent without further detailed description, itbeing understood, however, that while I have illustrated and describedthe me ferred embodiment of the improvement as it now appears to me, Imay, at a later date, make such changes therefrom as fall within thescope of what I claim.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. The combination with a pivoted gate, operating means thereforincluding a toothed wheel, a crank arm thereon and a connection betweensaid crank arm and the gate, depressible contact members to the oppositesides of the gate, a second toothed tioned toothed wheel to turn thecrank arm thereon and swing the gate to an open or closed position, andmeans for returning the depressible contact members to their initialposition.

2. The combination with a pivoted gate, operating means thereforincluding a toothed wheel, a crank arm thereon, and a flexibleconnection between the crank arm and the gate, depressible contactmembers to the opposite'sides of the gate, a flexible element operatedby said contact members when the latter are depressed, guide means forsaid flexible element, a second toothed wheel meshing with the firstmentioned toothed wheel, means for holding said last mentioned wheelagainst turning in one direction, a lever secured to said last mentionedwheel and connected with the flexible Copies of this patent may beobtained for element, a pawl on said lever co'engaging' with the teethof the last mentioned wheel, and spring means for normally retaining thelever in one position. r

3. The combination with a pivoted gate, operating means thereforincluding a toothed wheel, a crank arm thereon and a flexibleconnection" between said crank arm and the gate, yieldable contactmembers arranged on'the opposite sides of the gate,

spring means for retaining said members in one position, a cam-shapedtrigger pivoted below each of said contact members, 'a shaft therefor,an offset finger on each of said shafts, a cable connected to saidtriggers, a guide wheel therefor, a second and larger toothed wheelmeshing with the first men tioned toothed wheel, a lever therefor, meansfor holding said last mentioned wheel against turning in one direction,a pawl on the lever co-engaging with said last mentioned toothed wheel,and spring means for retaining the lever in one position.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature.

' LESTER RIKARD.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington,D. G.

